Do you believe the gift of Prophecy is extant today?
Prophecy. What is it? Is it preaching? Talking about how bad everything is and how angry God is because of it? Receiving and inspired message from God? Perhaps receiving an inspired message from God in raw-thought form (Grudem/D.A. Carson)? Being more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading than perhaps many other believers? Being able to predict the future.
There are several considerations, and we are here speaking about genuine prophecy (if it exists today), not Satanic, frenzy-induced, etc.
First, Is prophecy (today, if it exists) from the Spirit or sourced in human thought (perhaps guided by Scripture or the Spirit)?
Second, Is the Old Testament prophet the rubric for the New Testament prophet, or is there a significant difference?
Third, Is what is prophesied infallible (if you believe prophecy exists today)?
Also worthy of discussion is the distinction between a prophet and someone who prophesies, and the idea that Paul encouraged all the Corinthians to seek to prophesy.
Another point yet: does the term “prophesy” change in definition within the context, or is it consistently defined?
Our assumption on SI is that prophecy — if it does exit today — is never on a par with Scripture and always requires discernment as to its validity.
Poll Results
Do you believe the gift of Prophecy is extant today?
Yes, I believe God puts WORDS into the minds of modern prophets today. Votes: 0
Yes, I believe God puts THOUGHTS into the minds of modern prophets today. Votes: 0
I believe that some people are more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, and in that sense might “prophesy.” Votes: 2
I believe that as preachers faithfully speak forth the Scripture, they are prophesying and that’s what it means. Votes: 2
I believe God may put supernatural thoughts into the minds of believers to share, but only where the Gospel is newly established Votes: 0
I find this whole subject confusing and am open to several possible understandings. Votes: 1
Prophecy was a sign gift and is no longer given, anywhere under any circumstance. Votes: 10
Several of the above. Votes: 4
Other Votes: 3
- 1 view
My understanding of what prophecy is:
- It is receiving a message from God and being inspired to deliver it (inspiration applies to the writing/speaking, not to the receiving)
- Message may or may not be predictive
- It is qualitatively binary (always 100% accurate and genuine or else 100% accurate and 100% phony; the latter may include true elements, but is 100% "false prophecy" in nature. Cf. Deut. 18)
- Message may or may not confront wickedness and announce consequences, but quite frequently does both
- New Testament writers are also prophets
- If it was occurring today and a prophet wrote it down, it would be Scripture.
- It is not occurring today.
- Looks to me like it will occur again (probably only in spoken form) when Revelation’s Two Witnesses perform their ministry. (Cf. Acts 7, Joel 2)
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Aaron, appreciate your perspective, but I would challenge you on this point:
If it was occurring today and a prophet wrote it down, it would be Scripture.
My challenge comes both from the past and the present.
Throughout the Old Testament, prophets often prophesied, but their prophecies were not included in Scripture (I Kings 13:1-11, for example).
As you yourself mentioned, the two witnesses will prophesy and their writings not included in Scripture.
There is a difference, IMO, between inspired speech and the inspired speech God has decreed would be included in the canon.
"The Midrash Detective"
Discussion